Wednesday, July 31, 2013

In Indianapolis, at the Knit and Crochet Show, I went out to dinner with Cari Clement, Kimberly McAlindin, and Haley Zimmerman... (Thud! Just a little name dropping there... couldn't resist). And we ate at this fabulous little Italian place called Napolese.
Goodness, the pizza was so fantastic, I took a photo:

It was roasted tomatoes, portabello mushrooms, fresh mozzarella... goodness. So here's my question... what's the best pizza sauce for this type of pizza? Any ideas?

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

You have to read what a nice student wrote about my Annie's Online Class, "Learn to Crochet"....

"Hi Ellen,
I just wanted to let you know that I have tried to learn how to crochet
unsuccessfully for about 3 years now. Thanks to this class and the
excellent way you have taught it, I have finally successfully completed
my first project! Because I took this class, I learned that I had been
doing everything wrong and that's why nothing I made ever turned out
right. I mean, I couldnt even make a swatch look good before I took this
class. LOL. Anyway, because of the washcloth project, I now have a very
strong understanding of how to do these stitches and I just wanted to
let you know that it really benefited me. Thanks!"

Isn't that nice? Thank you for the nice compliment! It made my day and I had to share!

This class and my other class, Crocheting with Beads are both available online (where you can ask questions) or as a DVD. Find both versions at AnniesCatalog.com

This book is TWO major components. One very important component is something you might not guess... it's also a Tunisian Stitch DICTIONARY with 33 Tunisian stitch patterns. And they aren't just written but SHOWN in symbol diagram form. (revolutionary for Tunisian!). She comments on working a circle in short-rows, the history of Tunisian Crochet, double-ended crochet hooks, and entrelac crochet. The second important component is 11 patterns.

The 11 patterns are a variety of accessories, garments and home decor. Dora taps the talent of her friends to create the patterns. Vashti Braha,Doris Chan,Lily Chin, Margaret Hubert, and Charles Voth to name a few. The projects are: A woman's cardigan, a skirt, a man's cabled vest, a pullover, a blanket, hat and mittens, a luscious scarf, a wrap, a tote, slippers, and a rug. One of the most striking projects is the Marisol Cardigan, (shown above in red) by Andrea Graciarena. It's lovely in Madelintosh Tosh DK. But the project that will likely get made most often by readers is a luxurious scarf by Dora in Lion Brand LB Collection Angora Merino. This book is a great reference tool for various aspects, techniques and stitches in Tunisian Crochet.

Like Clever Crocheted Accessories, Crochet at Home is a compilation of various designers. Crochet at Home is 143 pages of colored bliss. Many of the patterns have stitch diagrams, but many are easy enough that stitch diagrams aren't really necessary. Whether beginner or more challenging all of the patterns are big on color.

There is a huge variety of patterns in Crochet at Home. Everything from dishcloths and chair cushions (mine!) to a tea cozy, a table runner, a door stop, a trivet, several throws, an adorable nesting doll set, pillows, coasters...

Joe Hancock with his signature crisp, bright style photographed the collection. You'll find details such as embroidery, textural stitches, and beading here and there through the book. Fill every room in your house with crochet accents with this fun and surprising book!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

At the Knit and Crochet Show, it's easy to find unique yarn from independent vendors. Often these are small family-owned companies. Here I am with the owner of Cestari yarns, Francis Chester. Francis and his wife, Diane, operate their farm in Virginia and sell the yarn all over the United States, Canada, and more exotic places like Brazil.

This is the Super-Bulky wool yarn from the Cozy Collection that I chose to take home :)

If you missed all the fun in Indianapolis, you have another shot for Knit and Crochet fun in Concord, NC in October. (Don't miss it twice!) Also, if you are interested in becoming a CROCHET PROFESSIONAL... you NEED to get to this October event and attend Professional Development Day. It is the smartest way to get the fastest boost at learning "the ropes". The Design Competition, classes, and fashion show will all also be held at this event.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

The Knit and Crochet Show in Indianapolis just wrapped up! Festivities started on Wednesday with Professional Development Day. Classes offered by the Crochet Guild of America were all weekend long. Events, fashion shows and meet-ups were all weekend long while the market floor offered a wide variety of yarns and products.

Here are a few photos I took during the packed weekend. I didn't seem to get any photos of me doing the book signing at the Crochetville booth on Saturday or the Meet & Greet at the Annie's booth.

Here I am with the lovely Kimberly McAlindin. She is wearing an innovative yet simple Hairpin Lace top. It seems we've both taken up running and managed to get in 9 miles together during the weekend. (I know she got in more than me before I arrived!) Thanks for running with me!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

I like to think of myself as pretty low maintenance, but this morning I started to think about some of the quirky things I do on the Knit and Crochet Now show that shows flashes of Diva. It's actually pretty funny that now that I have taped TWICE, I suddenly think of myself as some sort of veteran.

What you may not know about the show:

1. I wear running shoes with my nice outfits. As long as I am tall enough next to Brett, I choose shoes for comfort!

2. I only drink my water through a straw. Now, really I'm not doing this to be a Diva, but it's out of respect for Amanie's great work on my make-up. I don't want to mess up my lipstick, so when I drink water between takes, I use a straw to lessen the chances of smearing and making her re-do it.

3. When we are taping, it's the ONLY time you will EVER hear me ask someone "How's my make-up?" Because 90% of the rest of the time in life, I don't wear make up.

4. I've been overheard saying crazy things like, "Can you look at me through the monitor to see if this shirt is too sparkly?" and "Will my goosebumps show up in HD?". lol

5. And, there's a wealth of jokes to be told about the microphone packs we wear.... generally, jokes about turning them on and off before visiting the ladies room and making sure you don't drop them...

I hope you are enjoying the current season of Knit and Crochet Now! I'm hearing reports that people are finding the show. Remember if it's not in your area or you can't find it, you can order the dVD through AnniesCatalog.com

Monday, July 15, 2013

Sometimes I look forward to Monday to get back in a routine after a busy weekend. With Summer-time though, every day feels like a weekend. Lots of running around. carrying my work in my new Chica-a bag everywhere I go.

In my Chic-a bag right now is...
A ball of Univresal Deluxe Worsted and
A ball of Nazli Gelin Garden 3 mercerized cotton
and hooks to go with both.
scissors,
measuring tape
tapestry needle

I don't know what the yarns will become but it's good to have something to play with while I'm out and about.

It's July! That means it is time to look at GOALS from January and see where we are in the chase for 2013 goals.

I'm feeling a design binge coming on! It's time to sit and do nothing but design for a day or two and amass as many ideas as I can.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy 4th of July everyone! The two chickens in the front are from our newest batch of 4.

And the other two new ones are on the right corner of this photo. They are all exactly the same age. Even that little one that we call "pigeon" is the same age as the two in the top photo. When we chose chicks, apparently we chose a variety! They pretty much all look the same when they are born and become more unique looking as the grow.

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Copyright Ellen Gormley, 2017. Crochet design is how I bring income to my family. Please do not take, copy, share, or borrow any information or imagery from this site including photos and written text without my permission. For further information about how copyright hurts designers and consumers, please go to http://www.craftdesigns4you.com/stop.htmUse of the name "GoCrochet"TM is prohibited. This blog is the sole property of Ellen Gormley and is not representative of any company with whom I have worked with, for, or in partnership with.